Campaign to Save the Astronomy Technology Centre Building Fast

3.37.19pm GMT Sun 10th Feb 2008

Members of the House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee have visited the Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory at Blackford Hill to discuss the effects of funding cuts on the future of the ATC and Astronomy at Edinburgh.

Committee Chairman, Liberal Democrat MP, Phil Willis said "There is little doubt that the ATC in Edinburgh is recognised as a world leading institute for the development and construction of large telescopes and that the proposed cuts put the very existence of this remarkable facility in question"

The delegation met Professor Ian Crawford Director of ATC and leading scientists and engineers before touring these world class facilities. The MPs also met Professor Graham Bulfield and Professor Andy Lawrence from Edinburgh University.

Meanwhile Mr Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, called for an urgent Commons debate to hammer out a deal to save the observatory from the funding cuts which he said could threaten its future.

When the planned major cuts to astronomy funding were announced in December local Liberal Democrat Fred Mackintosh highlighted the closure to the local press and MSP Mike Pringle wrote to Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather on 8 January.

Mike Pringle is delighted that as a result the Minister has taken the issue up with the Secretary of State at the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills: "The ATC is a world class facility. These cuts could see the end of serious British astronomy and the loss of many important jobs in my constituency."

Related Link:

House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee.